CROATIAN HOLIDAY CUSTOMS
Published in the St. Peter & Paul Church Bulletin in Spring 1992 (75th Anniversary)
Like many other early ethnic settlers of Omaha, the Croatian community revolved around the church. The early Croatian community in Omaha consisted of approximately 150 families, large enough to have their own church. Being of the Catholic faith, the Croatian community organized Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Omaha in 1917. The many customs of these Croatian pioneers revolved around the liturgical seasons in the Church calendar.
Dec. 6th - Feast of St. Nicholas
The Advent season saw the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th, when one dressed as St. Nicholas would visit homes presentig gifts to the children. He would be accompanied by persons dressed as an angel and a devil. St. Nicholas would question she parents as to whether the children were well-behaved during the year. All good children would receive gifts from St. Nicholas and those that misbehavedwould kneel and those that misbehaved, would pray asking forgiveness or the devil would take them in his care. The angel would symbolize the guardian angel protecting the children from all adversity. The devil would
carry chains and a large sack to let the children know what would befall them if their misdeeds would continue.
Dec. 24th - Badnjak Morning
On December 24th - Badnjak morning - the father would send his children to greet the relatives and extend good wishes for the blessed season. This day being the feast day of Adam and Eve, our first parents, would see them greeting -the red with "Cestitam vam Adamu i Evu" upon entering the home. The greeting meant -"We greet you in the name of Adam and Eve". The children would receive fruit, nuts and candy in return. Tradition has it that the male should be the first to enter a home as a symbol to bring good health and fortune to he household. The day culminated with the family attending Midnight Mass.
Dec. 25th - Christmas Day
On December 25th, Christmas Day, families would visit relatives. Following the greeting of "Sretan Bozic"- "Merry Christmas"- there would be caroling and the dining of the many foods prepared for the festive occasion. The food would be placed on the table throughout the day for the many visitors who came to the home.
Dec. 26th - Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr
On December 26th, the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, families would visit the homes of their friends to extend greetings of the blessed season. Blessing of homes took place following the Feast of the Epiphany, or Three Kings.
During the year, people would celebrate their feast day more to than their birthday. The tamburitza orchestra would come in the evening, and before entering the home, would play "Mnogo Ljeta", a Croatian song wishing many years of health and happiness. There would be an evening of wining and dining with everyone joining in singing songs to celebrate the occasion.
On the wedding day of a son or daughter, the mother would get a small branch from a tree and bless the child with holy water as they would depart from the home for the church ceremony. This symbol was a parental blessing for God's protection in the new life and asking Him to oversee the young couple in the
days ahead. Many wedding celebrations lasted for three days.
It was customary during the Lenten season for people to attend daily Mass, make the Way of the Cross and fast on a daily basis. On Good Friday, many families would cease to listen to the radio until noon of Holy Saturday. In Croatia and many other European countries still today, people make the Way of the Cross, moving from Station to Station on their knees as a symbol of repentence for their sins.
Nov. 1st - All Saints Day
November 1st - All Saints Day, people would visit the cemeteries to decorate the graves in preparation for All Souls Day. Before retiring for the night on All Saints Day, it was customary to leave a piece of bread and a glass of water on table, as tradition says the Poor Souls return home to visit loved ones.